((a)) The Comptroller General may establish senior-level positions to meet critical scientific, technical or professional needs of the Government Accountability Office. An individual serving in such a position shall—

((1)) be subject to the laws and regulations applicable to the General Accounting Office Senior Executive Service  under , with respect to rates of basic pay, performance awards, ranks, carry over of annual leave, benefits, performance appraisals, removal or suspension, and reductions in force;

((2)) have the same rights of appeal to the General Accounting Office Personnel Appeals Board  as are provided to the Office Senior Executive Service;

((3)) be exempt from the same provisions of law as are made inapplicable to the Office Senior Executive Service under , except for ;

((4)) be entitled to discontinued service retirement under chapter 83 or 84 of title 5 as if a member of the Office Senior Executive Service; and

((5)) be subject to reassignment by the Comptroller General to any position in the Office Senior Executive Service under , as the Comptroller General determines necessary and appropriate.

((b)) Senior-level positions under this section may include positions referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of .